You may know how I like to try new things. My current experiment is to put away (at least out of reach) all of our dishes except for two plates, bowls, cups, and sets of utensils. This will leave one each for Michael and me (I also included a small glass for taking my cod liver oil. Enough said).
The plan is to only use those dishes and wash them immediately afterwards.
I have been thinking how lazy it is to continuously grab new, clean dishes when I could just wash one. They are so handy, you know, and the dishwasher can wash them.
Do I really need to fill a whole dishwasher full of dirty dishes just because I am too lazy to wash my own plate and cup? And do we really need 20 of every cup, bowl, plate, spoon, knife etc?
My only hesitation to actually getting rid of them all is that we would need them when we have company over. We don’t have large groups over that often, so maybe they could just bring their own dishes with them! Something about that just doesn’t seem right, though. Or does it?!
So for now, the extra dishes will go in a cabinet for special use.
We started tonight. You wouldn’t believe how good it felt to rinse my bowl and have it immediately clean and ready to use again. It was strangely satisfying.
One more small step on our road to simplifying.
Question: Is there something you have been wanting to simplify in your household?
Hi Claudia,
I’m thinking that you could start a new trend for when company visits. Tell them it’s a “bring your own dishes” party. It may be a conversation starter and something new. It would be fun to see the colorful array of patterns representing their personal style. Test it with people you know would be open to a little fun and diversion. -:) Offer to rinse their plates etc. to so they aren’t taking home things with caked on food.
Cindy,
I like this idea!
The washing of plates so they don’t have to take home caked on food is wonderful advice as well 😉
Thanks!
Claudia,
I’m all about simplifying, but I grew up in a house without a dishwasher and without a dryer, so I make full use of these conveniences. However, I don’t start cooking if the dishwasher is full of clean dishes. Otherwise, I’ll wind up with a sink full of dirty dishes and that’s more work than just putting the dishes in the dishwasher as I go.
As for the clothes dryer, when the clothes are almost dry, I take them out and hang them on hangers. This keeps things from wrinkling and keeps me from having to iron. Another thing I do with laundry is to keep 3 baskets of dirty clothes — darks, lights and whites. This saves time on separating laundry.
FYI — Joyce Meyer has a book called “100 Ways to Simplify Your Life”. There are a lot of good tips in this book about all areas of life.
Have a Victorious Day!
Marianne Clements
Victory Christian Coaching
Yes Marianne,
I understand!! The convinces are very nice…
Thanks for the book recommendation! Have you read it?
Claudia – I actually was so in the habit of washing dishes immediately after a meal when we didn’t have a dishwasher that I have never gotten out of that habit – even though in this house we have one. Actually, I’m almost afraid to use it since it’s been so long and evidently if you don’t use it often enough the seals dry out and it leaks – this one most certainly would. I can’t bring myself to leave dirty dishes! I may not be the best housekeeper (and I admit I am NOT) but that’s one thing you won’t find in my house – dirty dishes in the sink!
Ann,
That is actually very sweet! The new dishwasher turned old while you were washing by hand huh?! 🙂
I know a lot of people that have that one thing that they just have to get done in their house. I don’t especially,… but Michael does. I love his consistency.
Did you do dishes together when your kids were home?
Impressive! I just spent 1.5 hours cleaning our kitchen because we have not done dishes for the past few days. You and Michael are inspiring me to look at ways to simply my own life.
Alana,
It has worked wonderfully! Doing dishes is a breeze, and I do them when there are only a few items to wash. 🙂
Nice! Love this idea… You’ll save so much time, water, and energy with the “do it now” approach on your own dishes. I’m always wanting to simplify so this may be something to think about doing. The dishwasher loading and unloading is always excessive. I wonder if there’s a similar approach to laundry?
Yes Rob… I really like the laundry idea! We have talked about just having a few great outfits for each season. Haven’t implemented it yet…
It is the same thing with clothes as dishes though… you just keep grabbing another whatever and everything quickly piles up!